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PROMETHEUS 




THE 



Mbbey Press 

PUBLISHERS 
FIFTH AVENUE 

Condon NEW YORK montreal 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS 

Two Copies Receiver 

MAR 10 i°03 

Copyright tiUrj 
CLASS °^ XXc No. 

5" H-S °[ ^ 

COPY 0. 



Copyright, 1903, 

by 

THE 

Hbbe? p*te« 



fA 



^ 

« 



TO 

MY WIFE 



4 ' For there is nothing covered that shall not be re- 
vealed." — Jesus. 



INTRODUCTION. 

To those who speculate seriously on the 
subject, the traditional fall of man is sup- 
posed to be the time when the sense nature 
was first awakened as a medium of knowl- 
edge and the sub-conscious mind put to 
sleep or beyond our consciousness. 

Knowledge has not brought happiness, 
but rather the reverse, and yet, no man who 
has real learning would exchange it for the 
"bliss of ignorance." Knowledge in itself is 
not an enemy to happiness, but by a process 
of disillusionment, shows us that the things 
from which we once derived happiness are 
unworthy of the name and makes demand 
for finer quality, which is not easily found. 
At the point where the well of joy seems to 
dry up, there are two outlets — eternal men- 
tal progression for the thinker, and for the 
sensualist dissipation. 



iv Introduction. 

In the mental unfoldment also, its earlier 
joys will give place to higher ones, the great- 
est of which is a sense of the beautiful. The 
attainment of an ideal of absolute beauty is 
the peak of human achievement, and must 
include every other grace. To find beauty 
and to possess it (or, rather, to be possessed 
of it) , is the deepest instinct of the race, and 
a brief glance into its nature would here be 
in place. However, it is not desired to 
enumerate the conditions under which it is 
found, as that were beyond our scope and 
purpose, even if it had not already been ably 
done. Perhaps, however, one of the cleanest 
cut facts regarding beauty is, that it has 
never been defined to the satisfaction oF our 
highest perceptions. It is so elusive as to 
escape capture, and while maintaining its 
own freedom, holds the mind in a delectable 
thralldom. It seems to be the one pleasure 
of feeling which does not expend the vital 
forces, and, moreover, appears to possess a 
creativeattribute. There are many reasons 
for believing that beauty is the creative aim 
of the universe. There is no beauty in in- 
finitude, although it may be sublime. An 



Introduction. v 

imaginary straight line, whose ends can 
never meet, is a suggestion of infinitude, but 
its unrelenting continuity wearies the mind, 
and the repose of beauty is spoiled by the 
severity of the thought. Let this line curve 
never so little, and its ends will finally meet, 
forming a circle which gives us the principle 
of artistic form. The circle, as compared to 
the straight line of infinite length, represents 
something put forth in definite form. It is 
the symbolic language of creation in that 
the formation of the first semi-circle in its 
divergent directions suggests repulsion, 
while the drawing together of the last half 
represents attraction, or the likes and dis- 
likes which seem to constitute the creative 
impulse. 

It is true that the first organic form of 
generative life is serpentine. The serpent 
assumes the form of a circle when at rest, 
and even its motion is produced by circular 
oscillations. The theory of Win. Hogarth, 
the English artist, serves us well in this con- 
nection. He describes the curves of a mov- 
ing snake as representing the principle of 
beauty. The culmination of human knowl- 



vi Introduction. 

edge being beauty, we may wonder at the 
wisdom of Moses, which at that early date 
could not have been short of revelation, 
when he uses the serpent as the seductive 
principle which led men into the search after 
knowledge. 

The story of Pandora, as told by the early 
poets of mythology, which I have adapted to 
this drama, bears a striking resemblance to 
that of mother Eve. As the story runs, when 
she opened the vase given her by Venus, all 
manner of troubles issued from it. These 
were supposed to have introduced all subse- 
quent trouble. But as my story runs, there 
was trouble before the opening of the vase 
was realized. For thus permitting an ap- 
parent contradiction allow me to explain. 
If the opening of the vase means, as I sup- 
pose it does, the awakening of the senses, 
and therefore a knowledge of good and evil, 
judging from life as we find it, the process 
was gradual, and the vase would not have 
been considered as open until its full fruit- 
age was realized. The harp of the senses had 
first to yield up its sweetest music before 
the tide of joy ran low and troubles began. 



Introduction. vii 

Then came a realization of what had been 
done, although the act had long preceded it. 

At this time of realization, love of sensual 
pleasure ceases and lust is dead, but true 
love has just begun. Here, then, I have lo- 
cated the opening of the vase, and the killing 
of Pandora and Epimetheus, who represent 
the animal nature. As a matter of fact, there 
could have been nothing dramatic until the 
principle for which they stood began to 
work, but its personification does not appear 
necessary until the middle of the play is 
reached, and at the end, where all errantry 
is eliminated, the work organically ends. 

There is no effort to reproduce the life or 
customs of any place or period, but rather 
to personify principles which are active at 
all times in human life; nor have I scrupu- 
lously followed the myths w T here they failed 
to serve my purpose. The character of 
Jupiter, which was so thoroughly pagan and 
unworthy of respect, I regenerated com- 
pletely. There are other infractions and in- 
novations. 

I had no intention of writing a preface at 
first, but when the vagueness of some of my 



viii Introduction. 

efforts became more evident, I felt its need. 
That is my only reason for not keeping quiet 
at this time, and as that reason, by means of 
these drawn out pages, has now ceased to 
exist, I take my leave. 

Very truly yours, 

The Author. 



PROLOGUE. 



Dramatis Persons. 
Orpheus, son of the sun, and Prometheus. 



PLACE — NEAR MT. OLYMPUS, TIME — SUNRISE. 

Orpheus and Prometheus. 

Orpheus. Yon heavenly light breaks from 
the night's embrace — 

Overwhelms the darkness by its splendor 
burning ! 

Both men and angels chant his matchless 
grace, 

As, through the void, he keeps the planets 
turning. 

His healing beams through frozen dark- 
ness falling 



2 Prologue. 

Upon the lifeless earth revives its heart; 
And from the shades, a thousand shadows 

calling, 
A myriad life doth into being start. 

Prometheus. The nether pole, to wake to 
puny day, 
He southward moves, the blissful sum- 
mer ending; 
How do we fare who get the feeble ray, 
When thitherward his splendid wealth is 
tending? 

Orpheus. Your fare is this : when Phoebus 
south has started, 
With sacred fire, to melt the southern 
snows, 
With skins and robes, before the heat has 
parted, 
You grasp the hairy blessing ere he goes. 

Prometheus. But nature's lower order un- 
supplied 
With vernal heat to germinate the earth, 
When summer's vegetation all has died, 
No living agency brings more to birth. 



Prologue. 3 

The wintry solstice holds the frozen zone 

la chains of ice; and where the brook did 
bound 

In youthful glee, and highest joys were 
known, 

Arrested now its course — no songs re- 
sound ; 

Until the land, long wrapped in wintry 
snows, 

From its dead sleep awakes to greet the 
spring; 

Then, new-born life in every valley grows, 

And birds and bees apply the tireless 
wing. 



But man, the cycle of the changeful year, 
Holds forth his sturdy course, and braves 

the storm ; 
With love of strength, and scorn of petty 

fear, 
Despises* death, and keeps his manly form. 
Howe'er the autumn of his life must 

come, 
When its full tide ebbs low, and pale, cold 

death 



Prologue. 

Invites him to a berth in his dread home; 
Then man lies down and gurgles his last 
breath. 

If there doth come to him another spring 
Of life which has no after autumn chill, 
Could not the gods this happy blessing 

bring, 
And all his wild, tumultuous longing, 

still? 
Give, O, give us, Jove! that sacred spark 
Which burns at midnight in the polar 

snows, 
Or glows resplendent in the human dark 
Of thought, and man's unending woes ! 

There is no satisfaction in this world, 
If we but fight a losing fight, and die ; 
Why should hope's banner ever be un- 
furled 
If, in the end, we gain no victory? 
Unless the universe provides some scheme 
Whereby a man may linger in the light, 
Like morning dew, dissolves the youthful 

dream, 
And lordly names must vanish into night ! 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 

Zeus, the Omnipotent God. 

Prometheus, the man who first introduced fire 

into the world. 
Sphinx, the propounder of the riddle of existence. 
Momus, the complaining god. 
Psyche, goddess representing the soiil. 
Bernice, Prometheus' idea of feminine perfection. 

(Not in the myths.) 
Genius, attendant spirit. 

Hermes, messenger and god of persuasive speech. 
Heph^stus, god of fire. 
Cupid, god of love. 
Hygeia, goddess of health. 



PROMETHEUS. 



BOOK I. 



Scene 1. — A peak in the Caucasian range. 
Prometheus bound to a rock. 8phin%, 
Thanatos, Momus. 

Pro. On this pure peak high heaven stoops 
to bless 

The sturdy climber from the depths be- 
low; 

Kemote from earth the crown of life I 
press, 

While through my veins the dearest life 
doth flow. 

And yet, how scarce this visitation 
sweet ! — 

The dews of joy supply the lowland thirsty 

But rarely rise upon this high retreat; 



8 Prometheus. 

And if some happy vernal cloud doth 

burst 
To make the air replete with balmy breath, 
Its crystal drops do linger but a spell, 
Then hasten on below; while I, bereft, 
Must needs, alas, a dismal story tell ! 

Sphinx. Whoever seeks, of life, the mean- 
ing deep, 

Must learn the dreaded lesson well; 

Or by my lion strength he comes to end- 
less sleep! 

Full many a victim from this summit fell, 

O'er many a bier awakes the solemn bell 

When I propound my riddle to the weak ! 

Hast gained some inkling of the secret 
high? 

And of thy glances deep, hast aught to 
say? 

Pro. One morn, when Sol came thund'ring 
on his way, 
A dazzling violet o'erspread the sky 
Whose flame burned to my soul, and then, 

a ray 
From the eternal throne illumed my eye. 



Prometheus. 9 

My ears, erstwhile so earthy and so dull, 
(Though never glad when vulgar crowds 

among) 
Were, of the heavenly music, brimming 

full, 
As on its joyous tide I bore along. 

The tide increased; my soul inflated, 
large, 

Swept out in space, and through its chan- 
nel poured 

The soul of God, until I felt my barge 

Burst with the fury of the sea that roared. 

Thus Whirled about, I knew my native 
stamp 

Torn to a thousand shreds. The old ideal 

Which had been kindled by the human 
lamp, 

Grew tame and cold — so dazzling was the 
real! 

Thanatos. The lion and the woman: love 

and strength, 
Find union in the Sphinx and conquer 

Death ; 
But Death, not wholly conquered, will at 

length 



10 Prometheus. 

Come forth to claim his own. The lin- 

g'ring breath 
Which tries to hold the earthy element, 
When Death points with love's finger to 

the sky, 
Prevents the spirit's true development, 
And kills the organ of his phantasy. 

Pro. But loth to lose my loved identity, 
Tossed, artless, on the waves of sacred fire, 
I wrought for freedom from the phantasy, 
And forcibly asserted my desire. 
I grasped this solid rock with all my 

might, 
Unconscious of the power at my com- 
mand; 
Then settled o'er my soul a doubtful night, 
And helpless, I was bound with cruel 
hand. 

The living fire, which through my frame 

had flowed, 
Dissolved, at first, the solid rock; then 

came 
A chill which held the ruddy blood that 

flowed, 



Prometheus. 1 1 

And then the rock and I — one and the 

same. 
Thus every object I laid hold upon, 
In nature of gross matter, held me fast, 
Till every vestige of the spirit gone, 
Left me a brute and total wreck at last. 
A prisoner to pain, thus firmly bound, 
I languished without hope in sorest 

shame ; 
And while the gloomy years performed 

their round, 
Accusers false recounted all my blame. 



M omits. Small courtesy he finds who would 

outreach 
The humble stature of his f ellowmen ; 
His foreign manner and his foreign 

speech ; 
His sayings, vague beyond all mortal ken, 
Confuse and mystify the honest mind. 
To him the limits of all learning break, 
And where the greatest savant would be 

blind, 
To that same jungle doth the learned fake 
Proceed in search of moral symmetry. 



12 Prometheus. 

Pro. Yet, in the findings of my futile 
search, 
My humblest eminence doth far outsoar 
Thy highest boast, and thy pretentious 

perch ; 
My boundless spirit craved for more and 

more, 
And as it wandered from its finite course 
Into that dim and distant spirit land, 
To each sweet love there came a sad di- 
vorce, 
And in all worldly ways I was unmanned. 
Then came a herd of coward comforters 
To lead me through some vain and weak- 
ling way 
From which I erst had turned with high 

disdain ; 
To their vile appetites I fell a prey, 
And to my soul a thousand sorrows came. 



My aching flesh destroyed, grew back 

again, 
But hungry vultures visited each time, 
With joy renewed the revel of my pain 
Until at last there grew a flesh divine ; 



Prometheus. 13 

Which, when it grew, began to give relief, 
Doubt sprang to hope, and hope became 
belief. 

Sphinx. Thy grief, if spoken at the icy pole 
Where avalanches scorn the slanting sun, 
Would melt their fierceness, start the 

frigid whole 
Into a liquid weeping that would run. 
But, being stone, I do not fear to melt; 
By me, the sternest grief is never felt. 
The speaker may resume his doleful tale 
While we attend with active faith and 

doubt ; 
A spoken grief is not without avail 
When honestly the heart has poured it 

out. 

Pro. Beset was I by every human law, 
Those troublous days when no one gave 

assistance, 
And, to my soul refreshing draft to draw, 
I was afraid, nor dared to make re- 
sistance, 
Full tired of this, on every hand con- 
founded, 



14 Prometheus. 

'Twere best to fight and have existence 

done; 
And from that day a different note was 

sounded, 
Which drove base fear away — the fight 

was won. 

A vibratory message oft I heard 

From far beyond the azure curtain bend- 
ing; 

Ne'er came the semblance of an uttered 
word, 

Though streams of love some faithful 
heart was sending. 

Yet, lone was I, no friendly faces meeting 

Unless there came a vision from the sky ; 

Which, when it came, bestowed a friendly 
greeting. 

Then, like a dream, it vanished from the 
eye. 

I found some freedom with the lengthened 

chain, 
At last the fury of His wrath relenting; 
I could not make it to the level plain, 
Although my aspiration still repenting. 



Prometheus. 15 

Hope leads me through this labyrinth so 

winding 
And firm against its buffets and annoy ; 
What matter they, if, in the final finding, 
I reach a priceless freedom and its joy. 

Sphinx. The man deserves his freedom, I 

must say, 
So earnestly and brave he goes about it, 
And that there dawns for him a better day 
I could not find it in my heart to doubt it. 
But, by his limitation here exalted, 
Where life broods not, as in the fertile 

plain, 
Full oft his striving conscience will be 

halted 
Before he learns life's lesson and its game. 



Scene 2. — Mt. Helicon, the Pierian Spring. 
Psyche, alone. 

Psyche. How scant the joy upon this bar- 
ren height ! 
How all unlike its beauties from afar 
Which lured the earnest seeker after 
light! 



16 Prometheus. 

Then did it seem the brother to a star, 
And, with its blue, high-favored eminence, 
Proclaimed it as boasted wisdom to the 

world. 
Pieria's fount? aye, truly 'tis the place, 
But its full flow, locked in a cold embrace, 
Must downward move as icy avalanche, 
Or wait till spring. 
True, here is wisdom, wisdom, stark and 

cold ; 
Not wisdom of the young, but of the old, 
Which, ere it learns a wisdom more dis- 
creet, 
Must, youth and beauty, downward haste 
to meet. (Steps aside.) 

(Enter Prometheus.) 

Pro. I thought, when I had broke the gall- 
ing chain, 

And thence afar had tracked the circling 
globe, 

No traces of the bondage would remain; 

But still I'm weighted with an irksome 
load ; 

The ghosts of former days come back 
again 



Prometheus. 17 

To claim the rule of chains and gloomy 

thought; 
If happiness to me doth yet obtain, 
I fail to find by what bold action bought. 
The brow of Helicon I've trampled o'er, 
My search for moral freedom is in vain, 
The fount of inspiration is no more, 
And pleasure visits with alternate pain. 

Have I not proved beyond all doubt 
The path of duty and of high renown? 
Yet what strange spell, my conduct turns 

about, 
And steals from me, of life, the golden 

crown ! 
How can the sage pursue his lofty w T ay 
If, to the voice of sickly love, he bend? 
How can he, in the realm of thought, hold 

sway, 
And evermore a melted conscience mend? 

Much careful observation hath, to me, 
Well proved the languor of the love-sick 

mind ; 
That love in days agone did never see, 
And evermore is fated to be blind. 



18 Prometheus. 

Yet, how can they who labor to restore 
High truth and virtue to us blighted 

kings, 
Bring down celestial treasure more and 

more, 
If sacred love spread not the snow-white 

wings? 

Could I indeed the golden mean achieve 

'Twixt heat and cold, to rest my restless 
heart, 

And, in that center, wisdom's crown re- 
ceive, 

Methinks this doleful heaving would de- 
part. 

But ah! how useless are the moments 
spent, 

Fair maid, in battling thy sweet argu- 
ment ! 



Psyche. Your pardon, sir, I crave, it was 
amiss 
If I intrude upon your pensive mood ; 
When fine discrimination names the good, 
The calm of solitude brings highest blisa 



Prometheus. 19 

Pro. You but disturb distressing reverie; 
No joy have I, nor does the future speak 
The lazy coming of a better day; 
For hope's large effort, I am far too weak, 
Nor do I find, than this, a better way. 

Psyche. What evil thought distorts thy 

vision clear? 
What pain begets the wrinkle on thy 

brow? 
What jarring discord maimed thy power 

to hear? 
What pirate tore the flag from off thy 

prow? 

Pro. The sluggish current of my life is 

shoved ; 
Time sends me forward with his thorny 

goad ; 
For all my life I never have been loved ; 
Like old time Atlas, and his heavy load, 
The world hath on my back reposed till 

now. 
The garden of Hesperus would I seek, 
To some fair maiden make a deathless 

vow; 
Or, as the eagle sunward turns his beak, 
High thought, to me, were paradise enow. 



20 Prometheus. 

Psyche. I have a magic power, potent, true, 
The speedy cure of every human ill, 
Be subject mine, and feel it through and 

through ; 
A queen of health, life knows my loving 

will. 

Pro. Not subject thine, nor any of the 

gods ; 

Freedom I hold and will hold to the end ; 

Here will I stand against whatever odds ; 

No thrall can e'er this broken vessel mend. 

Psyche. Dost still thy freedom boast, yet 

in the thrall 
Of bitterness like Job who cursed his 

day? 
When into sweetness thou canst turn thy 

gall, 
Of happiness, thou'lt know the perfect 

way. 

Pro. Have I not all the wisdom of this 
world? 
Bends not its willing power to my hest? 
Be all thy measures to the devil hurled ! 
I know that my own methods are the best. 



Prometheus. 21 

Psyche. Within the limit of thy narrow 

sphere, 
Much simple truth escapes thy piercing 

eye; 
An earth-worm in the dust will never 

hear 
The spheral harmony that sounds on high. 

Pro. Thy feet plant firmly on the solid 

ground, 
Go forward straight, nor to the left nor 

right ; 
Content to gaze upon the world around, 
Do not attempt to scale the dizzy height. 

Psyche. Advice quite good for creature of 

your fledge 
But when we run the course of finite 

things, 
Nature surpassed, we reach the very edge. 
Will not the spirit furnish us with wings? 

Pro. No, no, my dear, such wings we 
haven't got, 
We're made to tramp the circling earth 
with care, 



22 Prometheus. 

And while complaining of our wretched 

lot, 
Kind providence has numbered every 

hair. 

Psyche. Such pessimism never from a sage 
That such low avocation is for man — 
To tramp with bleeding feet from age to 

age 
And end his pilgrimage where he began. 

Pro. Wont was my life to holy thoughts 

and high, 
Bent were my energies tow'rd heaven's 

gate; 
Gazed once upon the earth, twice on the 

sky, 
Now am I fallen from that high estate! 

Psyche. Who knows the value of this mor- 
tal strife 

That it be cheap and chaffy at the best, 

Steep stepping stones that lead the nobler 
life 

Forth to a time of rest, 

May hope to gain the realm of sweet re- 
pose, 



Prometheus. 23 

There in the bosom of the gods to sleep ; 
Forgetful, free from all his former woes, 
He soon forgets to weep. 

Pro. Such fairy vision had I in my youth 
Before my life and love turned into gall. 
But when you come upon the vital trutn 
There's not so much in living after all. 

Psyche. Wise is the man Who has the cycle 

made 
Of earth experience and called it vain ; 
Thrice foolish if his halting step is staid, 
And struggles not to make the higher 

plain. 
Strange paradox this life, where faint 

ones fall 
And strong ones struggle onward in the 

race, 
Where greatest hope is made no hope at 

all, 
Unless rough ruin stares us in the face. 

Vo. If hollow ruin leadeth to the goal 
Give me the winding way of failure's 
ease; 



24 Prometheus. 

If we a smaller destiny control, 

The hungry heart is not so hard to please. 



Psyche. In time the humblest thing that 

creeps the earth, 
In evolution's scale ascending, 
Observes the whirling dance of death and 

birth 
In cycles never ending. 



Pro. Strange oracle that we must live and 

move 
And have our being in a world of woe; 
Though we with ease the mooted problem 

prove 
That blessings none will from its fountain 

flow. 



Psyche. Thy sombre mood avails thee not a 
whit; 
Man never knows the order of his good ; 
Essay to find a thought of fairer fit, 
Nor feed upon that melancholy food ! 



Prometheus. 25 

Pro. Who learns his wisdom in the school 

of grief 
Abides the movement of its lazy law ; 
From whence he comes at last with full 

relief 
When honest pain has purged the human 

flaw. 

Psyche. Where action issues into endless 

strife, 
And thought discordant molds an empty 

frame, 
Into its void, -the muses pour their life, 
When heard th^ artful summons and their 

name. 

Pro. Torn are my moral garments and in 

vain 
I patch the rotten fabric with new cure; 
All night upon the frosty hill I've lain, 
Nor blessing does the dewy morn allure. 
I think that all are phantoms and this 

vale 
A vision as it were, of God's own eye; 
Which weary grown, and when about to 

fail, 



26 Prometheus. 

Slept, dreaming grief, and then came you 

and I. 
Begotten thus 'twixt grief and troubled 

sleep, 
Our little life is but a fitful dream ; 
Our largest avocation is to weep 
Unreal things, until they truly seem. 

Psyche. And when I saw it thus, I gave a 

laugh 
That stilled my fears, and made my 

spirits tame; 
If but the proper cup you quaff, 
We have a playhouse and its world-wide 

game. 

In splendor full, my clouds of briny grief 
Were rolled in pictures by a dazzling sun ! 
Which issued at my laugh, and brought 

relief, 
And my discordant elements were one. 
Thus, seven griefs alone, were sore annoy, 
But gilded with the sun, gave holy joy. 

So through the world we go 'twixt light 
and shade, 



Prometheus. 27 

Of grief make light, when grief is lightly 

made ; 
Of light, make grief, when grief is lightly 

laid. 
Thus joy and grief contending in their 

might, 
Touched by the truth, evolve to perfect 

light; 
And perfect light, o'er earthly shadows 

bent, 
Dissolves its sacred colors, and is spent. 



Psyche. Now hear me while I speak, and 
make it plain! 
Great life and honor are not feebly found ; 
Hard work and aspiration are not vain 
When finest labor is with glory crowned. 
But years drawn out, and nothing to pre- 
sent 
In lieu of time, and energy and pain, 
The hero fails of vital argument. 
Essay some other way to make the goal, 
Be independent, hold your model fast; 
But try your metal in another mold, 
r And so the ideal form you gain at last 



28 Prometheus. 

Pro. Then if I may interpret what you say, 
You wish me to reform and be more true; 
Abjure the old, adopt a nobler way, 
And in the end, be somewhat like to you. 

Psyche. Be plastic to the gentle will of 
love, 
Be rigid in the atmosphere of hate, 
While one, with lovely longing, draws 

above, 
The other coldly forces us to wait. 

{Exit.) 

Pro. Then waiter have I been for all these 
years ; 
Forsooth love led me not nor lit the way, 
Nor gave a rainbow through my falling 

tears, 
Because I was too proud to bend its ray. 

(Sleeps.) 

(Sis genius sings.) 

Mortal spirit, earth encumbered, 
Strive to learn your duty ; 
Long in mother's womb hast slumbered, 
Wake immortal beauty! 



Prometheus. 29 

Blindly wander earth-born children, 
Weary on their way, 
Meteoric star they follow, 
Short the dreary day. 

Through the darkness downward peering. 
See them as they glide ; 
Craft of life to pleasure steering, 
Floats upon the tide. 

Phantom after phantom follows 
'Neath a happy sun, 
Now amid the mud he willows', 
All the pleasure done. 

Sanguine face and torpid liver 
Seeks the rule of life ; 
Says he would not live forever, 
Scolds the pretty wife. 

Those to nobler heights ascending 
Seek the realm above ; 
There with eager zest are spending, 
Energy and love. 



30 Prometheus. 

Crave the true and the immortal ; 
Chase for lofty game; 
Now before the glory portal 
Grasp the endless name ! 

Joyful sparks are striking daily 
Into dazzling flame; 
All unseen are dancing gaily 
Everywhere the same. 

Darkness is afire and burning 
To the very ground ; 
Error into truth is turning, 
Spreads its beam around. 

Mortal night, alas, must perish! 
Sing the coming morn ! 
Thus the spark of life we cherish 
For the newly born. 



Scene 3. — On Mt. Olympus. Zeus, Hermes, 
Hephcestus, Psyche, Cupid. 

Zeus. I am the God Almighty, and the 
force 
Which rules each kingdom and its little 
king! 



Prometheus. 31 

In me the winding planets trace their 

course 
And without me there moves no living 

thing ! 
Swift winged messengers attend my will, 
Sweet choral harmonies the throne sur- 
round ; 
Supernal joy the universe doth fill — 
Throughout all space my glory doth re- 
sound ! 

Hermes. Most puissant and all adored! 
Though loftily thou art engaged 
To rule thy boundless empire wide, 
Thou wilt remember as I speak 
Of one Prometheus, whom thou 
Forbadest to take the heavenly fire. 

Zeus. The instance I remember well. 

Hermes. And when he was in deepest hell 
Because the fire so fiercely burned, 
Thou sentest mc with word to tell 
Bold Hercules. I now have learned 
That he who sought the highest culture 
Has gained his freedom from the vulture. 



32 Prometheus. 

Zeus. Hephaestus too, I sent to give relief — 
What message brings he of the daring 

thief? 
Still sits he on the peak in gloomy pain, 
Or didst thou with thy heat dissolve the 

chain? 

Hephcestus. When his low earthy tempera- 
ture was raised 

By truth's white heat, the cable did di- 
vide; 

But still the molten chain with lustre 
blazed, 

And with pure light, led down the moun- 
tain side. 

Wide o'er the earth he bears the heavenly 
fire 

And mortal men, to be like gods, aspire! 

Yet still there linger round the stricken 
heart 

Some chords of bondage I cannot remove, 

Which to accomplish, lies in Cupid's art. 

When he essays some damsel fair to love, 

And swears he loves her by the highest 
name, 

The flimsy chords will vanish in the flame. 



Prometheus. 33 

Zeus. Of all the gods most blest, 
Cupid here comes to be our guest ! 
The hungry and the poor and the dis- 
tressed, 
He maketh rich in royal love and pride ; 
If but one's adoration be expressed, 
His subtle blessing cannot be denied. 
Thou happy grandson of the lordly sire, 
Didst know our wish and came to visit 

us; 
From out thy dainty forge we need some 

fire 
To light the heart of one Prometheus. 

Cupid. Most gladly to thy sovereign will I 
bend 
And straightway will the flaming arrow 
send. (Exit). 

Zeus. Where Eros is, there is good com- 
pany, 
And where he is all mortals love to be! 
Yet other messenger 
Comes from the wayward man ; 
Let Psyche, of his wandering, 
Tell what she can. 



34 Prometheus. 

Psyche. A man of noble impulse he, 
His greatest joy to honor Thee, 
Yet ever finds it difficult. 
From all his bonds he would be free; 
Thou knowest, in the magic cult, 
Straight is the road and few there be. 



His varied life is strangely dotted o'er 

With joy and grief in constant alterna- 
tion ; 

In one dark hour the goal he seeks no 
more, 

While still another brings him exultation, 

I'm sure he'll reach the perfect destina- 
tion, 

Though now he's weary and his heart is 
sore; 

In wrestling match, he meets the old 
temptation, 

And princely is the combat evermore. 

'Twixt love of love and love of manly 
power 

He's tossed, uncertain where to stand; 

With strength, to mix the fragrance of 
the flower, 



Prometheus. 35 

Perplexes still the cunning of his hand. 
Full many a time the careless child is 

burnt 
Before the homely lesson well is learnt ; 
And petals fall within the blossomed 

bower 
Ere ripe's the fruit to glad the summer 

hour. 



Zeus. My soul with pity aches whene'er I 
hear 
Of mortal sorrow and despair, which 

turns 
The light to darkness and to death. 

My wish 
Goes forth, a healing hope to all 
Who climb unweariedly toward the goal. 
When I forbade the taking of the fire, 
I did so, not because it was a sin, 
But that I knew when he did have the 

prize, 
'T would throw his being in such tangled 

shape 
He would feel sin; and my command- 
ment strict 



36 Prometheus. 

Would show his mind where first he owed 

allegiance. 
Not me he sinned against when he did 

take 
The precious flame, but 'gainst the mortal 

flesh 
By whose low law he lived. Two elements 
Thus foreign in their natures could not 

live — 
But one against the other will make war, 
Until the weak one leaves the strong do- 
minion. 
So with the coming of the higher life, 
Came with its perfect law, the lower 

death 
Of all that wars against it ; and the life, 
So sacrificed in death is glorified, 
And thus dissolved, reveals its basic law. 
Thus came the law, writ not as in old 

time 
On blocks of stone, but on the tender 

heart ; 
Where Justice burnt its way into the soul 
And love most high convinced the mortal 

mind 
Of sin and death and judgment. 



Prometheus. 37 

So the life 
That once has tasted of the better things 
Cannot be fed on earth's low fare, but 

claims 
Part with divinity and upward heaves 
To know the life of gods; indeed must 

have 
The saving grace or sink into perdition. 
My soul thus drawn into the human flesh 
Became its savior and the word of life. 
So with the fleshy world I was at one 
And suffered as a human so that man 
Might live. 

In all the wide, wide universe ! 
The lowest forms of life are fed by me ; 
Nature by me is interfilled and all 
The sleepy race of men speak of their 

gods 
And think they know me; but the truth, 
Which brings the saving knowledge and 

the life, 
Is more than mere impression. You must 

eat 
My broken spirit where it touches flesh 
And with the flesh is one; and then your 

heart 



38 Prometheus. 

Will break with love, and man and God 

be one. 
When thus it works among th' inspiring 

few, 
My will is wrought, and Christ is born 

anew. 



Scene 4. — Bernice, in a dense wood gather- 
ing flowers, sings. 

Brightly shines the eye of day 
Forth from his couch of night, 
Gorgeous is the golden way 
Where Phoebus sheds his light! 

Happy stars that rule the night 
No longer hold their sway, 
Swiftly climb the dizzy height, 
And take themselves away. 

Shortly they will come again, 
Peep through the shadows dense; 
Never will they long remain, 
But ever hurry hence. 



Prometheus. 39 

Shadows deepen o'er the earth, 
Their fame begins to rise ; 
Glorious light now comes to birth! 
The astral glory dies. 

Honored are the orbs of night, 
Their use so richly planned; 
Darkness is the womb of light 
Whence come distinctions grand! 

Sparkle from the azure face 
Bright pearls when sun is set, 
Echoes earth with equal grace — 
The grass with dew is wet. 

Fragrance fills the balmy field 
Dew and flowers mingle, 
Dawning days with holy yield 
Heart-strings fairly tingle. 

(Song ends.) 

fiernice. A stranger yonder comes across 

the brook, 
I wonder if he knows that I am here ; 
From right to left he turns with anxious 

look, 



40 Prometheus. 

Now straightway bends his course, and 

doth appear. 
Fain would I hide me in this mossy glen 
But lo! he sees me and would converse 

hold; 
So shy I feel before such gallant men 
That none would ever think to call me 

bold; 
Therefore I may with safety dare to stay 
His speech to test if it be good or bad ; 
And if it be some traveler lost his way, 
My information then will make him glad. 

(Enter Prometheus and speaks yet in the 
distance, not observing Bernice.) 

Now am I lost within this tangled wood ! 
Nor strength familiar stays my sturdy 

gait; 
I languish here for want of simple food ; 
Still onward press to meet my horrid fate. 
I who the world did shake with wisdom's 

strength, 
Drew fine conclusions of the proper kind, 



Prometheus. 41 

Myself in dread confusion must at length, 
Myself, within in these tangled meshes, 
find. 

But here illusion greets my 'wildered 

eye- 
Fair daughter of a sweet imagination ! 
If jungles wild supply such company, 
Let me forthwith exchange my habitation. 
Yet naught but fear, and pictures of dis- 
traction 
Are born of fancy, and the gloomy wood, 
While this portends the deepest satisfac- 
tion, 
And stands a vision of the fairest good ! 

Pernice. Spread not the snare of flattery, 
I pray; 
I humbly live with meagre aspirations; 
Narrow the limits of my little day 
In quiet groves away from life's muta- 
tions. 
As here I walk the wavy undulations, 
Contentment stills the yearning in my 

breast ; 
I never seek to gain the elevations — 
The pleasant vales I find by far the best. 



42 Prometheus. 

Pro. From yonder peak I lately hither 

came 
Whereon I lived in sombre meditation; 
Sincere I sought to find a deathless name 
And trace the beauty of my avocation. 
There suffered I with all the nameless 

throes 
That lash the circle of creation; 
There felt the anguish of the man who 

knows 
Until I craved no higher revelation. 
But more anon my story will I tell — 
When better I have known thee if it 

please; 
Whatever we do we never do it well 
Unless we do it with a perfect ease. 
Lead forth, if you can find a *living 

spring 
Which from the bosom of the earth doth 

burst, 
May all the gods your highest blessing 

bring, 
r And mortals make your happiness the 

first! 

* Spiritual meaning. 






Prometheus. 43 

Bernice. Though thou art hardly a 
stranger to this part, 

Bewildered art and without true direc- 
tion; 

So, what I can, I will with all my heart. 

If thou wilt dare to trust my imperfection. 

Eegarded now as haunt of fabled fiction, 

The haughty nations will do reverence 
here; 

This is the spot of sacred benediction, 

Where kindness breathes from every 
noble sphere! 

Somewhere amid this range of snowy 
peaks, 

Cloud-wrapped Olympus rears his hoary 
head! 

Remote from earth's pollution, there he 
keeps 

Eternal watch. On that blest spot there 
tread, 

Those washed of earthly stain, whom high 
hope reared 

To part the veil of mortal life, and scan 

The courts immortal. At length ap- 
peared, 

In quality divine, the master man. 



44 Prometheus. 

Pieria's fount which, down the mountain 
turned 

Its waters, sparkling deep with inspi- 
ration, 

If I have well the old tradition learned, 

Its murmur sounds from yonder elevation. 

Pro. Toward yonder peaks with highest 

hopes attended 
I sought to gain the highest human round ) 
From thence my steps I lately hither 

wended 
With humble heart to reach the level 

ground. 

The soul shut in by walls and discontent; 
In solitude peers outward to the skies 
Its mighty limitation its lament ! 
Borne down by earthly weight it cannot 
rise. 

Its aim not low at first bore upward full 
To gain the fairest on the earth below — 
Each deeper vision did my joy annul; 
I found each benison was but a show ! 



Prometheus, 45 

Bernice. Then fable all and not as repre- 
sented? 
No fountain there to feed the hungry 
mind? 

Pro. My wisdom store was by the trip 
augmented, 
But not the famous fountain did I find. 
Yet many places on the mountain side, 
Where gentle spring had broke' the win- 
try chain, 
The water oozed into a swelling tide, 
And onward hastened to the thirsty plain. 

Bernice. As birds forsake their desolation 

dreary, 
And southward move their congregated 

flocks, 
So, likewise you, with winter weather 

weary, 
Exchanged the breezy region and its 

rocks. 

Pro. And truth to say, for facts should be 
admitted, 
A benefit to me on every hand; 



46 Prometheus. 

For, while a vaster outlook I have quitted, 
I now may gaze upon the fertile land. 

Bernice. Then do you think, anon, to 

travel thither? 
Thy native instinct will come back again. 
And with the advent of a milder weather 
Thou'lt leave the pleasant meadows and 

the plain. 

Pro. If winding brooklet, to its mountain 

home, 
Returns again in vap'ry mist and snows, 
May I not also verdant valleys roam, 
And climb again the rugged steep, who 

knows? 

The ice-girt peaks in greeting to the sun, 
In summer time, put off their snowy 

dresses. 
With adoration of the harvest done, 
The fertile field His Majesty confesses. 

Though frigid air is to the heart more 

bracing, 
The sunny vale must yield us life and 

growth ; 



Prometheus. 47 

So, here and there, a double good we're 

chasing, 

With fortune fair if we can win them 

both. (Exeunt.) 

(Enter Cupid.) 

Cupid. I have him now, my love-lit beams 
Into the valley draw him ; 
Although an iceberg yet he seems, 
My thermal dart will thaw him. 

Away they turn as in a dream, 
Into the thicket walking; 
They choose a cold and formal theme, 
And stiffly do the talking. 

It's time to shoot another dart 
To warm that cold demeanor; 
I'll shoot him in the very heart, 
Before he well has seen her. 

Now in her heart I pour a shot 
That sets her blood to boiling; 
The atmosphere has grown so hot, 
His dignity is spoiling. 



48 Prometheus. 

Now bind them with the lasting chord 
Of love so strong and tender, 
He is her master and her lord 
And she his dear defender. 

Hygeia. O Cupid ! ever wild, precipitate, 
Can never for the proper time await ! 
Why do you light that roaring conflagra* 

tion? 
The health of body and the poise of mind 
Cannot be found with mental agitation! 

Cupid. The dear young couple think Fm 

very kind. 
I found them cold, their minds were in 

the dark — 
The seasoned timber needed but the spark. 
It kindled easy, and with lucent glow 
Shot heavenward its sparks, and all about, 
Its radiance shone, and to the depth 

below. 

Hygeia. I have a mind to go and blow it 
out! 
Nature's forces thou dost free 
To play in wanton revelry. 



Prometheus. 49 

The joyous fire which pleasure gives, 
When spent its spark, no longer lives, 
To-day its gorgeous wealth doth pour, 
To-morrow finds it nevermore! 

Cupid. He that would find within himself 
the best 

Love's capital must lib'rally invest. 

The selfish life that hoards, and will not 
spend, 

Becomes both poor and stagnant in the 
end. 

Though without guide, love's ardent out- 
ward course, 

Its home return achieves the manly force, 

Hygeia. But for my strong, restraining 
leaven — 

Cupid. Predict no failure of my heaven! 
What he most likes the normal man will 

eat ; 
However good the sour he takes the sweet ; 
And when the sweet no longer proves the 

good, 
His taste finds virtue in some other food. 



50 Prometheus. 

Sister, I know the value of your place — 
That man must break the thralldom of 

desire ; 
Yet, bother not about the higher grace, 
Until he once has fallen in the fire. 

Hygeia. It pains me so to see the Amorette, 
With parched wing, fall lifeless to the 

ground ; 
While still the painful lesson you forget 
Until the buoyant youth is wisdom 

crowned. 
The serpent which within my hand is 

bound 
To keep the social safety and the state, 
Tries to get free, and wraps me round and 

round, 
When fiercely flames your fire twixt mate 

and mate. 

Cupid. In passion's morn I lead the royal 
way, 
When ardent youth delights in sweet sur- 
render ; 
Of all the debts the lover has to pay, 
He can't resist those dearest glances 
tender ! 



Prometheus. 51 

Hygeia. With flattery the hungry self is 

smitten 
If but the cunning serpent ope's your eye, 
And when his deadly fang the flesh has 

bitten, 
Your garden and its glory all must die. 
Yet, in the even-tide when love is cool, 
And God walks in the garden and the 

grove, 
A calm reflection proves the fiery fool, 
And voices doubly sweet are heard above. 

(Enter Psyche.) 

Psyche. A pang of sorrow to my heart doth 

go, 
To hear your language and its meaning 

deep. 
There was a time when I too, longed to 

know, 
And when I knew, O then, I had to weep ! 
But sorrow brought me to the shining 

goal, 
And taught the secrets of the earth below ; 
From out the earthly shell it drew the 

soul 
To guide love's swelling tide, and check 

its flow. 



52 Prometheus. 

Knowledge is power, but power is not 

high; 
We honor not the things of "touch and 

tire;" 
What lies beyond the vision of the eye 
Must teach the soul to wonder and ad- 
mire. 
But in regard to those of whom you spoke, 
I play my part, and preach the perfect 

way; 
If in their life you find the master stroke 
Your speech will end with all its vanity. 
They here advance with step so light and 

gay, 
We'll stand apart, and hear what they can 
say. 

(Exeunt.) 

(Enter Prometheus and Bernice, passing.) 

Pro. Old Nature's orchestra wherein I 
played, 
For long, long years a doleful tune, 
In vernal garments now arrayed, 
Puts on the happy countenance of June. 



Prometheus. 53 

The branches bend with foliage, and the 

air 
Is laden sweet with scent of every kind; 
We love the day that dawns so passing 

fair, 
And wakes the slumbering music of the 

mind. 



Bernice. The heart of earth is good if we 
but feel 

Its dear maternal throbbing 'gainst our 
breast, 

And every grief our changeful hearts re- 
veal, 

In her grief too, until the heart is blest. 

The am'rous calling of the dove, 

As from its throat the bless&d music 
breaks, 

To us a deep and tender joy awakes, 

And starts a ripple on the lake of love. 

Pro. The floweret fills its dainty cup with 
dew, 
And drinks to good, the beautiful, and 
true. 



54 Prometheus. 

The simple songful bird pours forth its 

lay 
To heart's content and boundless ecstacy ! 
O could the world but find one happy day 
Wherein no shadow came beneath its 

blue, 
Nor eye could find one blot to mar its 

view, 
This is the way, indeed, this is the way ! 

(Exeunt.) 



INTERLUDE. 



Dramatis Persons. 



Erato, muse of marriage. 
Urania, muse of astronomy. 

Erato and Urania. 

Erato. The mind, erstwhile tossed on the 

passion tide, 
Its melting white-caps rolling to and fro, 
Calms its deep wishes, and its yearnings 

wide, 
When clears the passion and its turbid 

flow. 
Love fills life's measure to the very brim, 
While, o'er its edge, the cooling dtops 

distill! 
There hover near the winged seraphim, 
And Eros' breath, the ambient space doth 

fill. 

55 



56 Interlude. 

Great Love descries the dawn from his 

high hill, 
He woke at first the slumbrous universe! 
Its force creative he doth gender still, 
And joins the sex for better or for worse. 
With his mild beam he calms the bitter 

curse, 
Pours forth a balm upon the rankest 

wrong ; 
He urges poet in the love-lorn verse, 
And earthly discords turn sublimest 

song ! 
And when at last the passion finds its 

height, 
By whirling storm made dizzy, turns to 

sleep, 
There sparkles in the eyes a lake of lighfy 
And truth finds calm reflection in its deep, 

Urania. A lonely vigil 'mongst the stars I 

keep, 
Just now and then I touch some lofty 

peer 
Who rends the fabric of this mortal sleep, 
And looks upon the world with vision 

clear. 






Interlude. 57 

The daring mind that penetrates my 

sphere, 
Sings sweetly for a time with vibrant 

tone, 
But if base matter to the mind adhere, 
He straightway tumbles to the lower zone. 

But when he learns to breathe the ether 

breath, 
And, to himself, unchanging atoms flow, 
Unchanging consciousness will conquer 

death, 
And, an unchanging body, will bestow. 
And then his skill which blew the note 

of Time 
In undulating cadence of the soul, 
Will sing the cosmic melody divine, 
And, of his life, be hymner of the whole. 



DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 

Prometheus, the man who first introduced fire 

into the world. 
Bernice, Prometheus' idea of feminine perfection. 

(Not in the myths.) 
Cupid, god of love. 

Psyche, goddess representing the soul. 
Hermes, messenger and god of persuasive speech. 
Momus, the complaining god. 
Heph^stus, god of fire. 
Pandora, the woman who first introduced trouble 

into the world. 
Venus, goddess of love and beauty. 
Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus, and type of 

the animal nature. 
Hymen, god of marriage. 
Hercules, a, demi-god of marvellous strength. 
Harmonia, goddess of peace. 
Discordia, goddess of discord. 
Hera, wife of Zeus. 
Athene, goddess of wisdom. 
Apollo, sun god. 



BOOK II. 



Scene 1. — On the banks of a lake. 

(Pandora, alone.) 
Pandora. I'm proud I have so fair a name, 
It is my dearest treasure ; 
More to be sought than pious fame 
In which I have no pleasure. 
Into the liquid pool I gaze, 
And find my fond reflection; 
I much prefer the human praise 
To all divine perfection. 

(Enter Venus.) 
Venus. Good morning, sweet nymph ! 

Pandora. Fair dame, good morning! 

Venus. Acquaintance I would cultivate, 
And learn who you may be. 

61 



62 Prometheus. 

Pandora. I little know myself, 
Or how I did originate, 
Or what my destiny. 
Prometheus' was my father, 
My mother's name was Pride. 

Venus. With details do not bother, 
Attend, I'll be your guide! 

In airy shape I've wandered round 
Through all the wide creation ; 
In thee my yearning heart has found 
Its perfect incarnation. 

Into your youthful mind I'll pour 

The most entrancing grace, 

That my reflection more and more 

Be gendered in the race. 

In flesh and blood I now may rule 

As in the spirit's bliss; 

My new domain will be a school 

That learns true happiness. 

This vase, receive, which doth contain, 
Of love, the secret potion ; 
Left closed, it brings the highest gain 
In beautiful devotion. 



Prometheus. 63 

But opened once, the tender heart 
Is bared to every trouble;. 
Be wise and choose the better part, 
Or else your anguish double ! 

(Epimetheus passes, gazing eagerly at 
Pandora.) 

Pandora. My thanks to you for this sweet 
gift, 
Which I will keep as token ; 
Nor ever from your counsel drift, 
To break the casket open. 

(Exeunt.) 

(Enter Prometheus and Epimetheus.) 

Epi. My senses, numbed by the slow pace 

of time, 
Are pregnant with the fear of unkind 

fate; 
Though in my life there shows no heinous 

crime, 
Withal, no daring deeds that elevate. 
In some fair good I would participate, 
Fall victim to its music and its rhyme ; 



64 Prometheus. 

And thus exchange the languor of my 

state 
For youthful sap to moist my parch&d 

vine. 
Just now I had a vision made my heart 
Heave hard, and sigh with strange and 

wild emotion ; 
My blood in every vein made bounding 

start 
And stagnant flow became a stormy ocean. 
Although it be a new and fitful notion, 
I'm tempted to pursue this youthful 

spark, 
And with the ardor of a deep devotion 
Spurn reason's guide, and leap into the 

dark. 

Pro. Take my advice, and cling to wisdom's 
rule, 

Nor let untutored feeling draw thee 
thence; 

And when no longer thou dost play the 
fool, 

No more wilt need a fool's experience. 

Thy love scrapes are to thee a great ex- 
pense 



Prometheus. 65 

With profit quite as little as their joy, 
And, from them, didst thou gain one bit 

of sense, 
I would not seek thy pastime to destroy. 

Epi. Why dost thou thus restrain me, when 

thou knowest 
Thy Knowledge much was gained by my 

mistakes ; 
Secure upon the perfect road thou goest > 
In science' name, I wander in the brakes. 
I grind the wheat while thou dost eat 

the cakes, 
And on my derivation growest great; 
So, honor from dishonor, tribute takes, 
And points derisive finger at my state. 

Pro. Dishonor is not yoked with honor's 

grace, 
Though much of good derived from its 

condition ; 
Each quality doth justice keep in place, 
Till season brings the ripening fruition 
Knowledge is power and can command 

respect, 
Or fear, or hate, if that be what one 

wishes, 



66 Prometheus. 

But without quality, one can't expect, 
In life's deep stream, to catch the human 
fishes. (Exit.) 

Epi. While thus I'm disallowed and 
cramped and fettered, 
My self-respect is trampled in the mire ; 
If my low state is ever to be bettered, 
Pride, self-respect, is what I first require. 

(Enter Hymen.) 

'Hymen. If what you need is pride, 
Pandora might divide with you 
Until you're satisfied. 
If you desire, I'll bring her here to see, 
If, for her burdened self-esteem, 
You may exchange humility. 

Epi. Egad ! I'll be as backward as a crab ! 

Hymen. Swell out, assume importance 
large ! 
That's right, brace up, and drop your chin 
. just so; 

Chest up, rump back, and stand upon the 

toe! 
Though Venus has Pandora in her charge, 



Prometheus. 67 

Thou, too, shalt know a thing or two, I 

trow. 
I tell the truth, she is a perfect fairy ! 
And if 'twixt her and her self-love you get 
All tangled in the meshes of love's net, 
You'll both be bound to marry ! 

Epi. And do you think she knows me? 

Hymen. She knows you not — therein doth 
lie your strength. 

Epi. This is exception to the rule 
That power is in knowledge. 
But as to courtly manners, do you think 
I have the suave and easy gliding motion 
To dull the eye of Criticism? 

Hymen. I do believe that Criticism 
Would be so prostrate levelled 
jBy your mere aspect, 
As to renounce his calling. 

Epi. That would deprive some people of 
their place, 
And all too soon would weary grow the 

race. 
But as to intellect, how do I stand? 



68 Prometheus. 

Hymen. You do not stand at all, but far 
outrun 
The Hymenean measure of demand. 

Epi. To doubt your statement, were I not 
so loath, 
I'd think you made amusement of us both. 

Hymen. When, for my work, I am so 

poorly paid 
As get no recreation, and no fun, 
No longer will I yoke the youthful maid 
In doubtful fortune with the vaunting 

son. 

Epi. I swear I have misgivings of the 
worst ! 
Permit me to reflect a little while; 
Suppose you let her gaze upon me first, 
And see if she feels tender to my style. 
I'll sit and look as pleasant as I can, 
While from afar, you tell her I'm the man. 

Hymen. The haughty leader leads, but 
still the led 
Has right to say on what he will be fed. 



Prometheus. 69 

Act as thou wilt while still volition's free. 
Seek out the good and shun the evil stain ; 
But bondage, sweeter far than liberty, 
If thou surrender to the lovely dame. 

Epi. I'll wait for you. 

(Exit Hymen.) 

(Epimetheus sits awkwardly and tries to 
appear at ease. ) 

(Presently re-enters Hymen, at a distance, 
with Pandora.) 

Hymen. There sits the finest that mortal 
eyes behold ! 

Pandora. O my ! is he more beautiful than 
I? 

Hymen. I'll say, excepting present 
company. 

Pandora. Unless you did, I think I'd surely 
die! 
For I don't think he's even handsome. 
He seems in somewhat of distress ; 
Perhaps he mourns his ugliness. 



70 Prometheus. 

Hymen. He is not happy. Though by 
nature proud 
By his stern brother, has been disallowed, 
And suffers from humility. 

Pandora. What is humility, and is it catch- 
ing? 

Hymen. Yes, dear, but you're immune. 

You might with safety 
Be his nurse, and issue thence quite whole. 
With your vaccine placed on a peacock's 

quill, 
You might inspire and manage him at 

will, 
And with pride's/ prop, thus elevate the 

soul. 

Pandora. I cannot follow deeply what you 
say, 
Having no knowledge of humility; 
But lead me from this place forthwith, I 

pray, 
Because his visage fell oppresses me. 

{Exeunt.) 



Prometheus. 71 

Epi. I know I made on her a bad impres- 
sion, 

I read the torture in her pained expres- 
sion. 

She labored to restrain a queer grimace, 

And mirth was plainly pictured on her 
face. 

I'll not despair, though yawning gulf be- 
tween us, 

There's help in other gods to win the 
race ; 

I'll call on Cupid and his mother Venus, 

And for my speech, let Hermes lend the 
grace. (Exit.) 

(Enter Hermes.) 

Hermes. To test my power of persuasion, 
This is the knottiest occasion ! 
And if I had one bit of conscience left, 
This enterprise, of it, had me bereft. 
I'll tell the dame that he is passing fair, 
To him, I'll make sweet discourse on her 

eyes; 
If not, at last, they be a loving pair, 
Convincing speech no longer in me lies. 



72 Prometheus. 

And when I lie no longer in my speech, 
Convincing lies, must lie beyond my 
reach. (Exit.) 

(Enter Prometheus and Hercules.) ■ 

Hercules. Much burdened is the land with 
youthful frolic 

Wherein the heavy import of this life 

Is lightly weighed. The scales of mighty 
truth 

Has turned askant, and lost his proper 
balance, 

So that men see things in false propor- 
tion. 

Pro. The fair proportion of some forms 

I've seen, 
With greater grace doth play the wanton 

thief 
To steal men's wits. The fashion of a 

queen 
Whom Pleasure names V originate belief, 
Doth find the human wax ripe for its 

stamp. 
Nonentities do hasten to the mint, 



Prometheus. 73 

Where their dry wits, when made a little 

damp, 
Are then quite ready for the fashion 

print. 

Hercules. A dearth of individuality ! 
Who dares to set himself apart and live 
In colors of his true identity? 
And to each thing its perfect meaning 

give, 
And meet the world with strong serenity? 

Pro. I do believe thou art the man to do 

it! 
Thou hast the muscle and the daring 

mind, 
If truth is strong, 'tis time the old world 

knew it. 

Hercules. Virtue remote, is seen by those 
most kind. 
I feel disposed to ramble in the field ; 
If thou dost care to take a stroll, 
While still the knotty riddle we unroll, 
We may, of joy, secure a larger yield. 

(Exeunt.) 



74 Prometheus. 

Scene 2. — A room. 

Pandora, Hermes, and Harmonia. 

Hermes. Observe my honesty! I say the 
man is fair. 

Pandora. As fair as your remarks, which 
are most foul! 

Hermes. Woman ! you know not what you 
most desire ! 

Pandora. Yet, am quite conscious of my 
strong dislikes, 

Hermes. Thy judgment dost uphold 'gainst 
my divinity? 

Pandora. Ay, and thy knavery which doth 
the more 
Mark courage in my action. 

Harmonia. Come ! come ! we must not have 
this discord! 
I'll have thee chastened with an olive 

branch ! 
Which one refuses to agreei? 



Prometheus. 75 

Pandora. By heaven ! it is he 

Would have me think that black is white ! 



Hermes. By Hades! it is she 

Would have me think that day is night! 

Harmonia, In your dispute I see no vital 
difference. 
If he doth swear that black is white, 
She, also, has a perfect right 
To wipe the sun from heaven's face, 
And in the darkness of the night, 
Her dark, and doubtful reasons trace 
To prove by star's remotest ray 
That sable night excels the day. 

Pandora. But, I don't say that day is night, 
He's greatly in the wrong. 

Hermes. And I don't say that black is 
white, 
I sing the same old song. 

Pandora. According to the way I view, 
A certain face is far from fair. 



76 Prometheus. 

Hermes. And did all view it just as you, 
The world, for beauty, would despair. 

Harmonia. But, did you stand within her 
dainty shoe, 
Would that incline you to her point of 
view? 

Hermes. If thus we stood together, one 

would lean, 
Or both, and naught could pass between ; 
I think our inclination were to fall 
And thus our falling out 
Would be a disagreement after all. 
If we were one, then were our thoughts 

not two, 
And as she did, I'd be inclined to do ; 
But while our minds are not just quite 

the same, 
For thoughts divergent, neither bears the 

blame. 
If all the world moved as a thoughtful 

unit, 
Nor contrast came by ways antipodel 
To break the droning motion of the 

globe; 



Prometheus. 77 

To bring diversion fresh, O sad to tell! 
One might be driven down to gloomy hell ! 

Pandora. So, rather than to visit that sad 
place 
In quest of dear diversion as you say, 
You choose me as a victim of your play, 
And thus play hell — it is a vile disgrace ! 

(Enter Bernice.) 

Bernice. If there be one unhappy in the 
crowd, 

His sorrow may no longer be allowed. 

I have in mind a bit of choice diversion — 

We rig ourselves in masks, and hasten 
forth 

To wake the rural echoes with our joy. 

Prometheus and Hercules offended 

At the dull way in which the world dotlfc 
wag, 

Have washed themselves of artifice and 
cant, 

And issued forth to feel the pulse of na- 
ture. 

We do the same, what costume will you 
wear? 



78 Prometheus. 

Pandora. I'll don the mask of Pleasure. 

Bernice. Being most fond of joy I bring 
to others, 
I'll don the mask of Duty. 

( Cupid. Invisib le. ) 

I'll be there, too, to do the solemn task, 

And of illusion, weave the blinding mask. 

Hermes. He'll there accomplish what I 
failed to do, 
The wilful maid will find my point of 
view. ( Aside. ) ( Exeunt. ) 



Scene 3. — In a forest. 

Hercules, Prometheus, and Epimetheus. 

Pro. I sent for Epimetheus to come 

That he might hear the tenor of our dis- 
course. 
Much drawn by things of earthly char- 
acter, 
The glitter, and the soft delights of life 
Allure him as the candle doth the fly. 



Prometheus. 79 

If he can sense the current of our minds 
That do so labor 'gainst the earthen 

banks 
Which hold them in, perhaps their strong 

desire 
May impregnate his sterile mind with 

life; 
Which life may bring interrogation meek 
Whose son is wisdom. 

Hercules. Yet, action is the hour's great 
need, 
The world has had enough of thought. 
The act creative, and the deed 
Must pay the price of freedom bought. 

Pro. But wisdom must precede the act. 

Hercules. Ay, and the act must follow ; 
Act is pre-eminent which bears the fruit. 

Epi. I'll take the fruit, and for their share, 
Let thought and action hare pre-emi- 
nence. 

Pro. Brother, keep still, we are most seri- 
ous! 



80 Prometheus. 

You overprize the end, and scorn the 
mean, 

Unmindful that the planting, and the 
sheaf 

Are far apart with labor hard between. 

Suppose the roots that plow the humid 
soil, 

And wander blindly in the darkling 
earth, 

Led by an instinct of the moisture sought, 

Should weary of their laboratory; 

The nether pole of cool alchemic life 

Where nature keeps her secret from the 
sun, 

Would yield its hope, and blister, and be 
done. 

The humble sphere is not without advan- 
tage; 

Though scorned root is of the light 
bereft, 

Yet does it sleep in sweet security, 

Nor hears the jarring battle overhead. 

The reaching branch obtrudes the pass- 
er's way, 

Is bitten, broken, kindled day by day; 



Prometheus. 81 

And in dry lands where little grass doth 

grow, 
And earth will gender naught but scrub- 
by trees, 
Plucked are their verdure, and the flow- 
ers that blow, 
Until the shrub whose gentle soul at first 
Sent forth a tender hope to be a tree, 
Through cruel ages bitten and bemired, 
At last in anger, and in self-defense, 
Sends forth a pricking thorn, makes 

beast beware ! 
So, all its life, the struggling plant hath 

spent 
To find equation with environment ; 
And well adapted is each living grade 
To serve in ranks the kind Creator made. 



Hercules. Indeed, we are most apt to choose 

the ease, 
And spurn the labor of the dirty root ; 
All grades of life are boundless hard to 

please, 
E'en when they have the picking of the 

fruit. 



82 Prometheus. 

The thrills of joy that urge the hot pur- 
suit, 

Belong not to the workshop and its toil. 

We long for freedom and the sweet vaca- 
tion, 

And when our labor bears the tempting 
fruit, 

New born, and luscious from the trodden 
soil, 

Our senses worship at the revelation. 

Epi. These fellows bore me with their 
solemn tone; 
I almost wish I had remained at home 

[( Aside.) 

Hercules. ( Continues. ) 

But for the peace when Duty's tendons 

draw, 
That fills the heart, and its capacious 

greed, 
No strength had we to fight the lower 

law, 
Nor hope to gain the mind's supernal 

need. 



Prometheus. 83 

Pro. While pleasure draws us from the 

needed work, 
Yet, lack of faith and. courage do their 

part; 
Ambition, too, plays havoc with our 

peace, 
And selfish love corrupts the tender 

heart. 
Pride is the kernel of each mortal growth 
In whose cheap coin we are so poorly 

paid ; 
Doth not distinction bear the battle's 

brunt, 
When men, of old oblivion, grown tired. 
And weary of desire so long delayed, 
Press proudly on to reach the fearless 

front? 
Ambition's early dreams burnt out and 

spent, „ 
The mind grown calm and willing to be 

wise, 
Descries within itself a nobler bent, 
Eecoils and dares to gain a lordlier prize. 

Hercules. We wash our spirits of the hum 
of life, 
F As man has made it by his artifice, 



84 Prometheus. 

And here refreshment find among the 

trees 
Whose harmony of motion doth impart 
A restful calm unto the weary mind. 
The forest seems to rest, and idly dream 
Of ages spent which built the mighty 

oaks, 
Which oaks again will battle Father 

Time, 
And buoyant, struggle on his mighty 

stream. 
A pleasing calm pervades the heart of 

things, 
Here, peaceful spirit finds its perfect 

form; 
Out in the world the wild alarum rings, 
And rages there the bactle, and the 

storm. 
If, in the world, we reach a stormy fame, 
This is the calm that blest us ere it came. 

( Sounds of music are heard as of a stringed 
instrument, followed by song.) 

O, mighty the issues of life 
When Truth finds a hero who can 
And perilous gathers the strife 
When might is reposed in a man ! 



Prometheus. 85 

Oblivion's darkness enshrouds 

As he labors an exile from pleasure, 

And spectral the fears that assail, 

As he digs for the deep hidden treasure. 

We powers assistance would render 
But better his fight when alone; 
The tissues so fragile and tender 
Will reap but the strength he has sown. 

Anon when his spirit has melted 
Mortality's bond, and has won 
A fame, that the whole world has belted, 
And reached the domain of the sun ; 

The celestial, with him be united ! 
In marriage whose revel ne'er ends; 
The evil he wrestled and righted, 
With the good forever he blends. 

In its course to the desolate ocean 
The river meets many a rock, 
And man, by his angular motion, 
Like the brooklet, gets many a shock. 



86 Prometheus. 

Were ocean the brooklet's last home, 
Did its drops not ascend the bright beam, 
No temple reared proudly its dome 
No poet e'er truly did dream. 

(All appear greatly astonished and look at 
each other inquiringly. ) 

Pro. Whence came those sounds mysteri- 
ous? 

Hercules. You must find out elsewhere. 

Pro. Have you knowledge of a trick 
To thus enchant us by this song 
Lade' with a breath celestial? 

Epi. Ask still a third, for by my life I 
nothing hear. 

Pro. Then we must wait his finding. 

Hercules. These things no doubt divinely 
appertain. 
And more there is to follow. 

Pro. Behold yon strangers in the thicket! 



Prometheus. 87 

Epi. Let's hasten on and see what this por- 
tends ! 

Hercules. Be not so curious, my friend! 
your hasty track 
Oft proves most fixed when you would 
take it back. 

(Enter Bernice and Pandora masked in 
neat disguise.) 

Pandora. Come you forth for pleasure, or 
for pain? 

Hercules. For pleasure, I should hope; 
pain comes without the search. 

Pandora. My name is Pleasure, I come to 
entertain. 

Hercules. The nature of your program, 
please? 

Pandora. To follow in my footprints 
Wherever I may lead. 

Epi. Gads! that would be fun, were not 
my feet so large. 



88 Prometheus. 

Hercules. ( Makes an impatient gesture. ) 
I would know the end to which you lead ! 

Pandora. As to the end we make no caleula^ 
tion; 
Nor to-morrow, nor yesterday are in my 
calendar. 

Hercules. I will not follow blindly in the 
dark; 
Faith follows but the evident. 

Pandora. But I will strew your path with 
roses. 

Hercules. What impulse will you plant? 

Pandora. To follow naught but joy, and 
joy that grows, 
And spreads its sweet aroma as the rose. 

Hercules. But will I never have a smack 
of grief? 

Pandora. Never ! 



Prometheus. 89 

Hercules. If that be true, it is the rankest 
lie! 
For, pleasure which ne'er tastes of grief 
To learn the flavor of its antipode, 
Will lose its sweet distinction, and must 

die; 
And pleasure dead, is worse than living 

grief 
Which may beget new joy, and bring re- 
lief. 

Pro. Mayhap the other maid speaks better 
words. 

Bernice. Pleasure I have too, but in the 

second place; 
It ranks not as the chief est of my goods ; 
My name is Duty, and my highest grace, 
To look my conscience squarely in the 

face! 

Pro. That takes unquailing eye, or perfect 
past. 

Bernice. The first will not avail, it takes 
the last. 



90 Prometheus. 

Whoever follows Duty, follows death; 

The path of pleasure leads there just the 
same; 

But in my way, you get the second 
breath, 

And life, o'er death, achieves a blissful 
fame. 

It is no royal road, I make it plain, 

To walk against the current of desire; 

In dens of lions, and the furnace flame. 

They must contend, who reason and re- 
quire 

A life of spotless light, 'bove meshes, and 
the mire. 

Pro. The proper course is evident. 

Hercules. Strength will not abide the lap 

of pleasure. 
The tadpole wiggles in the dance of 

death, 
And gives attention to his sorry tail, 
The sign and symbol of his eloquence; 
Until, long-wrapped in pleasure's mystic 

fog, 
The pendant part dissolves, and leaves a 

frog. 



Prometheus. 91 

Most widely now, lie wanders round and 

round, 
Now scales the bank, now leaps into the 

pond. 
Though, once engaged in pleasure's fitful 

motion 
Where narrow puddle seemed so mighty 

long, 
He now would dare the breakers of the 

ocean, 
And gird the circling planet with a song. 
So, man mature, demands a larger sphere 
To suit the action of long-cradled thought 
Now grown to fill a large environment; 
Which, if it be not found, must be created 
By battles fought, and hard persistive 

vigilance. 
Out in the world, there be no Hercules, 
Until my impress of inherent strength 
Is stamped upon the world, and slum- 
brous deed 
Doth wake dull heads to thoughtful spec- 
ulation. 

(Masks are removed and the maids are rec- 
ognized. ) 



92 Prometheus. 

Hercules. Oh, ho ! I know you now just as I 
knew 
The voice of Duty as you spake. 

Pro. When she described immaculate per- 
fection, 
I did suspect the presence of Bernice. 
Together we may now proceed and find 
The sweet contentment of a lover's mind. 

(He introduces Epimetheus to Pandora, 
and all exeunt excepting Pandora and 
Epimetheus. ) 

Pandora. Fm in a trap, O whither shall I 
go? (Aside.) 

Epi. Ye gods, now grant me favor in her 
eyes! (Aside.) 

Pandora. Ye gods, from whom all favors 
flow, 
Send down one blessing from the skies ! 

(Aside.) 

( Cupid steps out, lets fly an arrow at Pan- 
dora. ) 



Prometheus. 93 

Cupid. What think you of this man? 

Pandora. I think he is a most excellent 
whistler. 

Cupid. You are excessive scandalous in 
your praise. 

I am told you dote on masks. 
(He makes passes before her face.) 

You now have on the mask of love; 

The first man you behold, will be 

Most beautiful! (Exit.) 

(Pandora and Epimetheus rush to each 
other's embrace and show signs of in- 
fatuation. ) 

Epi. Praise the Lord ! I mean the Lord of 
love. 

Pandora. Praise lord Apollo, for this gift 
of beauty ! ( Exeunt. ) 

(Enter Discordia.) 
Discordia. My name, Discordia, proclaims 
my nature. 

No pleasure comes to me 
From easy-gliding motion of the earth, 



94 Prometheus. 

The silent forest, and the matchless sleep 
Of lakes, where ferns and tufted mosses 

grow, 
On whose curved banks the wistful wil- 
lows weep 
And dip their pliant symbol far below. 
When sky begets new sky within its flow, 
And sends adown the star-lit beams of 

peace, 
There kindles in my soul malignant glow, 
To break the calm of unregretful ease, 
Embroil the quiet earth, and start the 
angry seas ! 

When Paris lived a rustic with his sheep, 
(Nor knew his high ancestral privilege 
To steal fair Helen, beauty's peerless 

queen, 
And, thence to Troy, trace back the roll- 
ing deep), 
I threw an apple in among the guests 
Who graced the marriage festal of Peleus, 
When sea-born Thetis wed the pious 

prince; 
Which apple, when it struck the peaceful 
earth, 



Prometheus. 95 

Jarred every discord loose, woke jealousy, 
Uphove the anchors of the Grecian ships. 
And laid the world 'neath mighty trib- 
ute cost, 
Till Greece regained the beauty it had 

lost. 
The walls of Troy, which held the ancient 

seat, 
Were strong within themselves until de- 
sire 
Reached out, and gulped a foreign ele- 
ment 
Which brought its trailing messengers of 

death, 
And Ilion was no more. 

Like husbandman 
Who used old bottles for his new-made 

wine 
Which break the brittle vessels and es- 
caped, 
So is the man who would incorporate, 
And make himself a unit with perfection. 
That much adored and foreign attribute 
We call by name of Beauty and the like, 
Contains within its independent self, 
A rhythmic potency to draw all form 



96 Prometheus. 

Into its cherished mold, or else destroy 
it 

And thus is discord born, because the 
world 

Cannot conform to ultimate perfection. 

So, I would warn the man who doth as- 
pire 

To plant immortal beauty in the flesh; 

That, though he doubtless gain the shin- 
ing prize, 

>Tis also true, his earthly garden dies! 



Scene 4. — A bower. 
Prometheus and Bernice. 

Pro. How deep the satisfaction, O sweet- 
heart ! 

Since you came to my soul, and stilled its 
storm ; 

Each devil from it thou didst bid depart, 

Where there was void, thou gavest per- 
fect form. 

Where there was chill, thou mad'st it 
cozy warm, 



Prometheus. 97 

r And stirred the slumb'ring hope of better 

days; 
My waning eve was changed to waxing 

morn, 
The darkness fled before thy golden rays, 
And dolorous song turned into endless 

praise. 

Bernice. If we but thus could live, life 
surely pays, 

Though highest hopes, one often must 
bereave, 

Yet, joy must come despite the long de- 
lays, 

To him who nobly battles to achieve. 

I was so coy, you scarcely would believe 

That I too, longed to hold you to my 
breast, 

And when your love, my yearning did re- 
lieve 

By interchange of qualities the best, 

My heaving heart was easy, and did rest 

Pro. When I was small, and as an urchin 
dressed 
In tiny sack that came but to my knees, 



98 Prometheus. 

Foreboding dreams, my anxious soul dis- 
tressed, 

Lest, in the world I found no sweet Ber- 
nice. 

Now, every motion of the pliant trees, 

The balm of night and day's resplendent 
glow, 

The narrow rivers and the boundless seas 

Are laden with your life — they know! 
they know ! 

And echo tells our bliss where'er we go. 



fiernice. When I was yet an infant in the 

crib, 
And cried, I knew not why, of joy bereft, 
Remorse it was, I had thy missing rib, 
And did a boisterous penance for the 

theft. 
Thy side now healed, where grief had 

sharply cleft, 
Eternal health lays up its boundless 

store, 
While keen-edged pleasure driven to the 

heft, 



Prometheus. 99 

Lays bare life's secret to the very core, 
And each glad day brings wisdom more 
and more. 

Pro. If but our thoughts could reach the 

golden shore 
Where launched our bark in countless 

ages p^ist, 
Each, for the other, had this love of yore, 
Which ever lived, and evermore will last. 
Time speeds our bark amid the tempest 

blast, 
For it was built to sail eternal seas; 
The rolling breakers with high heaving 

crest 
Will war in vain 'gainst our serenities, 
While still I hear thy magic name, Ber- 

nice! Bernice! 

Bernice. Are you pleased with the world 
as it is? 

Pro. Not much, but I am pleased with 

what has been; 

As for the future, let my power within, 

Command, and make the outward right. 

I'm glad, now, that perverse environment 

*. li v. 



100 Prometheus. 

Opposed my way, and made the fearful 

fight; 
I longed for godhood, craved its daring 

might 
Which now appears prospective in my 

view. 
The lower mounts unto the higher sphere, 
When god-like daring, one begins to 

brew, 
And when the neophyte has conquered 

fear, 
Nor love of sleep no longer dulls his days, 
Immortal dawn bursts forth in endless 

blaze ! 
And buried hopes spring forth, and 

bloom and bear. 

(The sound of a roaring lion close at hand.) 

Bernice. Heard you that roar? It fills my 
soul with deepest horror ! 

Pro. I do believe that sound came from the 
, jaws of death ! 

(A curtain is drawn disclosing a dark cave 
in which two fiery eyes gleam upon the 
lovers.) 



Prometheus 101 

Pro. It is the lion of Nemea ! 

Whose ponderous jaws ne'er yet did 
champ in vain, 

And whose tough hide remains invulner- 
able. 

He yawns, and sniffs to find our scent, 

Now rears his head aloft, and danger im- 
minent 

Looks down upon us ! 

Sacred to Zeus! O, who shall dare the 
deed! 

I once defied the mighty sovereign's will, 

And here again this sacred beast must 
kill ! 

If ever we be freed. 

Hercules. (Bounds upon the stage.) 
Who dares not to defy death, hell, and 

heaven 
When being totters o'er death's ragged 

edge, 
Is hated of the gods ! 

(He rushes into the cave, engages the lion, 
and slays him. Tumult, confusion.) 

(Exeunt.) 



102 Prometheus. 

Scene 5. — In a road. 
Discordia and Venus. 
Discordia. Whither haste you thus at even- 
tide? 

Venus. To see the marriage of my prot£g& 
Where joy and happiness abide. 

Discordia. That were small cause for 
haste. 
Could they not wait a while? 

Venus. Could you not have delayed your 

question 
Till I was out of reach? Therefore I 

haste'd, 
And that was no small cause. 
But if a marriage is too small for you, 
I might just mention that there will be 

two. 

Discordia. And do I get no invitation? 

Venus. Discordia, we do not want you 
there. 
The marriage supper has no place for 
thee; 



Prometheus. 103 

But later on, thou bringest thy despair, 
When vanis' love and tender sympathy, 

(Exit) 

Discordia. Yes, and I will be there to- 
night. 



Scene 6. — Marriage room. The gods pres- 
ent, including Hera, Athene and Venus. 

Hermes. The principals delay their com- 
ing. 

Momus. The devil take them ! they might 
know 
That without principles we have no in- 
terest. 

Hephwstus. Perhaps the ladies linger at 
the glass, 

And each, the other, struggles to out- 
show; 

With swaying gesture, back and forth 
they pass, 

Until each grace, and each defect they 
know. 



104 Prometheus. 

Eera. Another kind of glass at which men 

linger, 
Reveals a defect, but o'er- veils the grace; 
With reeling gesture, back and forth they 

pass, 
And all night long, they linger in the 

grass, 
But, as to knowledge, it brings them not 

a trace. 

Athene. They therefore are delayed. 

Motrins. Why? 

Athene. Being drunken. 

Momus. And if they be not drunk, they 
scarce will come. 

Venus. Thou art intoxicated with sar- 
casm ! 

Momus. And therefore Hymen cannot im- 
prison me. 



Prometheus. 105 

Hera. Be not fearful that Hymen will in- 
terfere! 

When on your loins the race depends for 
increase, 

Its propagation there will cease. 

Creative energy abides not hate; 

You could not reproduce, you are a bluff, 

And of your tribe the world has had 
enough. 

(A noise without, the bridal party is an- 
nounced, and the room restored to order. 
Prometheus with Bernice, and Epimetheus 
with Pandora, enter. Epimetheus and Pan- 
dor a stand before Hymen.) 

Hymen. Where love has forged its golden 
chain 
Around the heart of one we love, 
No force can cleave apart again 
What gods have joined above. 
If what there seemeth here to be, 
Hath part in dear reality, 
In formal words I make it known : 
"Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone." 



106 Prometheus. 

(A golden apple is rolled into their midst 
inscribed "To the Most Beautiful." Hera, 
Athene and Yenus each claim it. Zeus 
leaves the decision to Prometheus. In one 
quarter of the room the apple is discussed, 
while in another, Epimetheus and Pandora 
engage in heated converse.) 

Pandora. I tell you the vase must not be 
opened ! 
Venus has said, therein my joy would 
end. 

Epi. It contains the secret of all wisdom, 
The gain of which, would make us men 
all gods. 

{Other quarter of room. Contention over 
the apple.) 

Hera. Give me the praise, good Prome- 
theus, 

And on Asia's royal throne you may com- 
mand, 

And call the world your own. 



Prometheus. 107 

Athene. If the brave man should choose to 

make it mine, 
And thus exalt me to the highest choice. 
His glorious fame, undying, evermore 

would shine. 

Venus. Now listen to love's gentle voice: 
If on my head, the lovely mantle fall, 
His wife shall be more beautiful than all. 

Pro. As I understand, I here must choose 

Which one to follow, and which ones to 
lose. 

This compliment I pay with heavy cost, 

Which buys but one, the other two are 
lost. 

The first would give me power and do- 
minion, 

The second offers fame's immortal 
wreath ; 

The third avers that beauty's golden pin- 
ion 

Will plume the man who holds that love 
is chief. 

Then without further words, or more 
ado, 



108 Prometheus. 

I now announce, dear dame, the prize to 
you. 

{He hands the apple to Venus.) 

(Confusion in the direction of Epirne- 
theus and Pandora. They having opened 
the secret vase, all manner of trouble issues 
from it — thunder and lightning and blind- 
ing smoke, confusion, tumult.) 

Harmonia. This disgusting tumult I 
abhor ! 

\Berniee. Be this love's nest, small happi- 
ness were bred ; 
'Twere best to make unloving tracks afar. 

Pro. Be this the fare on which we will be 
fed, 
The man is wise who swears to never wed. 

Hymen. Your nuptial ceremony is post- 
poned. 
Love's planet, which so lately lit the sky, 



Prometheus, 109 

And plowed the astral azure with his 

beam, 
Is now overcome with darkness, and must 

die. 
Yet, still anew will spring the youthful 

dream 
Though darkling passion hold the earth 

in shroud; 
And as the day burns on the edge of night. 
So will a silver lining deck the cloud, 
And heavy burdens alternate with light. 
{Exeunt all but Discordia.) 

Discordia. Hell has broke' loose, and 

through the seasoned crust 
The earth doth belch its lava! Creative 

heat 
Within the cooling chambers of the earth, 
Impatient with its deep inquietude, 
Erupts its boiling energies aloft 
To break the crystallizing tendency 
Which threats the mobile action of the 

worlds. 
Thus form and spirit wage and endless 

war; 
Spirit makes the form which in its turn 



110 Prometheus. 

By cold inaction quells the vital breath; 
Then in hell's vortex must the carcass 

burn 
That form may find its birth again in 

death. 



Hated am I of men. I stand between 
The dying groan of old monotony, 
And life which buds anew to take his 

place. 
That which is perfect is invulnerable, 
And knows me not, but where I find a 

blight, 
There is my point of action and delight. 

My home is in the weakness of my foe; 
The unjust social order that decays, 
Has courted me, and yet I never know 
A better social order to upraise. 
Extended is my rule from sea to sea ; 
On all things high and low I spread my 

pall, 
And o'er all things that struggle here to 

be, 
I now announce dominion over all. 



Prometheus. 1 1 1 

Thou seest how this effort at high bliss 
Was turned athwart by the creative fruit, 
Which, when it ripened, tumbled in the 

dust; 
To dig the earthen vault for pleasure's 

kiss 
Now all mankind must join the hot pur- 
suit, 
And evermore be victim to its lust. 
Yet, other scheme, will force creative 

make 
To check my course destructive and its 

hell; 
Love never can its little ones forsake, 
And even now I hear a marriage bell. 
I must attend, at least the outer edge, 
And inly smile to hear them take the 
pledge. {Exit.) 



Scene 7. — Marriage of Prometheus and 
Bernice on Mt. Olympus. The gods present, 
also Epimetheus and Pandora. 

Venus. (Addressing the bride and groom.) 
Now mark the failure of my prot£g6 ! 



112 Prometheus. 

In whose sweet form abode life's perfect 

plan; 
Who turned the current of love's bliss 

away, 
And left my project just where it began. 
If beauty in the mortal flesh adhereth, 
Diviner birth must be its primal source, 
And when its essence in the frame ap- 

peareth, 
A sweet decorum must direct the course. 
Proud beauty of the flesh invites the 

curse, 
And vainly segregates itself from love; 
Progressive evil makes the matter worse, 
While tribute none, is paid to those 

above. 
Mother, am I, born of love's boundless 

sea, 
Nor can I fail to find a mortal shape 
To give reflection to my imagery. 
As luscious wine comes from the squeezed 

grape 
To cheer the heart of man, and quell his 

fears, 
So shall the plump, round, mortal figure 

bend 



Prometheus. 113 

Till in the pressure of extracted tears, 
He finds life's essence in the bitter end. 
And in this essence of the charmed soul, 
I build my throne, and exercise control. 

(Hymen takes position at the altar, and 
speaks. ) 

We face the junction where eternity 
Doth bend itself, and kiss the lips of time. 
The self-contained, ever Infinite, 
Whose song ineffable forever sounds, 
Yet, to the mortal ear, inaudible, 
Now deigns himself to tangibly put forth 
In fleshly form. 

The nuptial tie forever 
Stands at the gate of heaven with weld- 
ing heat 
To join the conflux of polarities. 
In that blest tie, the heavens find dis- 
closure, 
And therein found the worlds, their first 

existence. 
Who findeth not himself in this estate, 
Nor happiness vouchsafed his dual soul, 



114 Prometheus. 

From being's heart has wandered far 

astray, 
And back again must speed his erring 

way. 

Thou holdest in thy breast, O, my Bernice! 

A longing for some strong ideal form, 

The like of which lives not in cultured 
Greece, 

Nor ever lived, nor ever will be born. 

This mental image must thy love adorn; 

Look through it when thou gazest on thy 
lord 

Who, in his turn will nurse and keep it 
warm ; 

And then at last, the blessing you im- 
plored, 

Will be love's perfect bounty and award. 

And you the same, my dear Prometheus ! 
Thy vision genders beauty as of old; 
To find thy other self most decorous, 
Sweet alchemy doth turn thee into gold. 
She is the fairest of all forms, I'm told ; 
To thee I give her, and her matchless 

grace, 
Forever to be thine to have and hold. 



Prometheus. 115 

In her, the image of thine idol trace, 
Until it shines resplendent from her face, 

Venus. In them, be heaven's hope filled 
full! 

(Confusion in remote quarter of room, Dis- 
cordia prompting Pandora.) 

Pandora. I hate you, villain ! thief ! 

Epi. You are a fickle hypocrite! 

(Cupid* quickly removes from Pandora the 
mask of love, and with the assistance 
of Psyche, puts it on Bernice.) 

Pandora. Thou art a knave thrice worthy 
of my hate! 

Epi. Thou art a lump of clay that I detest ! 
'Tis bed time, and our bridal bed doth 

wait, 
To give to you and me eternal rest. 
Stripped of all good, our garlands in the 

dust, 
We hate each other, and so die we must ! 



116 Prometheus. 

(He draws a knife and stabs her in the 
heart, then stabs himself. They die.) 

(A period of calm.) 

Bernice. I love you, Prometheus. 

Pro. And therefore we shall live. 

Apollo. Through the misty clouds are 
breaking, 
Holy beams to human hearts; 
Sorrow hence his visage taking, 
Hasting on his way, departs; 
White-light force is unifying, 
Grips the rainbow and the star; 
They who share his beams undying 
Are the "workers from afar" 
Who relume the weak and fettered, 
Who bring heaven to the earth, 
Who the finite nature bettered 
Into everlasting birth. 




03 



